Chandigarh : PGIMER Chandigarh -AIIMS New Delhi led 8th International Course on Public Health Approaches to Non-Communicable Diseases, under the aegis of World NCD Federation and supported by WHO, entered its second day. The day remained dedicated to strengthening primary healthcare, involving discussion on public health interventions as well as multisectoral action and integration for NCD management and control.
Following the notion of ‘practice what you preach’, today was dedicated to role of health promotion in making the workplaces, districts and schools, keeping in mind the development of an enabling environment for physical, mental and social wellbeing. Prof. JS Thakur delivered a talk on the Role of Health Promotion and Population-wide Interventions and discussed the evidence on feasibility of executing the health promoting interventions in different settings, catering to various stages of life.
The example was set by two very enthusiastic team building exercises and two energy-packed mobility breaks. Dr. Yukti, Senior Resident of Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health at PGIMER engaged participants and the faculty in performing the ‘Banana Dance’. Later, Dr. Sunita from National Institute of Nursing Education PGIMER engaged one and all in the fun-filled Laughter Therapy session.
The capacity building session focused today on the discussions on evidence based public health interventions, consideration about their cost-effectiveness some case studies. The faculty and participants deliberated on the concept of multisectoral actions and integration for the population health. Dr. Atul Kotwal, Executive Director of National Health System Resource Centre of Government of India discussed on the significance of health and wellness as a strategic choice to strengthen primary healthcare services to tackle NCDs.
Moving ahead towards the celebration of year 2023 as International Year of Millets, the participants enjoyed Raagi Roti during the lunch.
It is hoped that the efforts put in by course coordinators will be able to generate a pool of self-driven program officers to achieve public health.